What is going on in Boston?
Boston has made a few intriguing additions this offseason in outfielder Tyler O'Neill and one-time All-Star Lucas Giolito. Although this is the case, Boston traded away seven-time All-Star Chris Sale and it sounds like more moves are on the way.
The Red Sox have plenty of money to spend but it sounds like they aren't going to be spending it this offseason. Boston reportedly had a hard budget of $225 million last season and it sounds like it could be operating in a similar way this offseason.
Boston isn't too far away from being a playoff team but it sounds like the club is looking to shed salary. One player who reportedly is an "obvious trade candidate" is star closer Kenley Jansen, according to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo.
"The Red Sox still have holes but in their messaging to agents, appear to be looking to move some money before aggressively plugging them," Cotillo said. "In that vein, one obvious trade candidate is closer Kenley Jansen, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his two-year, $32 million contract in 2024.
"There are some in the organization who believe the loss of Jansen, who saved 29 games in 2023, could be easily remedied. Chris Martin or Tanner Houck could shift to the closer role with other late-inning options (John Schreiber? Josh Winckowski?) taking on more important roles if Jansen is dealt."
Jansen has been mentioned in trade rumors on multiple occasions over the last week and it's starting to seem like a move is possible. The latest rumblings that Boston is looking to shed salary makes a move even more lucky.
It's unclear what Boston's plan is this offseason but it's certainly been a surprising offseason so far.
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